Elizabeth Meyer | Mar 3, 2017
Transitional care refers to the period of transition from an event (usually medical) back to home. While not permanent, transitional care still requires research and due diligence to ensure your loved one continues to receive the level of care they need, in settings they are comfortable with. Knowing what to look for and how to evaluate transitional care options will help your family make the right choice.
Who Benefits From Transitional Care?
Transitional care can benefit individuals who:
- Need extra assistance as they heal or continue rehabilitation after surgery or illness
- Are transitioning from their homes permanently to senior living
- Need to regain strength and independence but are not ready for a permanent move to senior living
At Walker Methodist, our rehabilitation and therapy departments are centrally located to transitional care suites so staff can maintain close proximity to each patient in a convenient and motivating atmosphere. Patients enjoy the comforts of home with privacy and the added benefit of connectivity to social and support networks during their period of transitional care.
When your loved one is faced with an illness or surgery, it can be overwhelming to consider the road to recovery, especially if you or other family members live far away. Trying to establish the care plan, coordinating transportation for follow-up medical visits, and ensuring all medication and post-treatment plans are followed closely can be a major undertaking.
Choosing the Right Transitional Care Program
There are a number of things to consider prior to agreeing to transitional care for your loved one. The average length of stay for individuals in transitional care is 8 - 20 days. Knowing this, you’ll want to ensure the community or care program you and your loved one choose has all the amenities and specific clinical requirements for a full, safe process of regaining health and independence.
When meeting with a community, come prepared with a list of questions and concerns you may have. Keep in mind each individual is different, and the specifics required by you and your family should be properly addressed by the transitional care staff, including:
- Medication management – including prescribed medications plus pain medication as directed by providers post-surgery.
- Nutrition – can your loved one choose from a variety of meal options?
- Mobility – what are the options for recovery if movement has been temporarily compromised due to illness or injury?
- Therapy – including physical, occupational, speech, and recreational.
- Social interaction – does transitional care offer the socialization and inclusion in community events should your loved one desire it?
Transitional Care at Walker Methodist
Walker Methodist is comprised of many different senior living campuses across the Twin Cities metro and offers differing levels of care and amenities sure to suite the needs of older adults everywhere. Two of our communities specifically offer transitional care. Minneapolis features the Health Center and West Saint Paul features transitional care at Westwood Ridge.
Both programs offer a wide-range of care for transitional patients, working cohesively with families and health care providers to ensure a full recovery. Restored independence and getting your loved one back home is the goal to be met, each and every time. If you or your loved one is considering transitional care, meet with us here at Walker Methodist, and we’ll help you through the process.
